La Trobe University Baseball Club is seeking a head coach for the 2016 winter season. Duties include but not limited to:

Appropriate coaching accreditation required and Working with Children check preferred. Contract terms negotiable with performance bonuses set by the committee.

For more information or to send an expression of interest, please contact latrobebaseball@gmail.com.

Baseball Victoria is proud to announce the two teams that will be competing in the 2016 Youth Women and National Women’s Championships. 

Both are set to take place at the Narrabundah Ballpark in Canberra, with the youth women scheduled for 10 January to 15 January and the senior women beginning on the same day and finishing two days hence on 17 January. 

The youth women’s head coach Rob Gell is very pleased with this year’s squad. 

“The Victorian U16 Youth Women's baseball team for 2016 has been selected after a high quality tryout,” Gell said. “The coaching staff have been amazed with the ability and enthusiasm of the players. Although the team is quite young, with many of the girls available for the next one-to-two years, we expect that they will acquit themselves well, have fun and develop as baseball players. 

“Our teams preparation has been first class and the girls are excited about what's ahead for them as they prepare to represent Victoria at the National Baseball Championships in January at Canberra. We welcome supporters to follow our team progress on our Team App: Victorian U16 Girls Baseball.” 

The Youth Women’s National Championship roster: 

Manager: Rob Gell
Assistant Coach: Paul Hung
Assistant Coach: Miffanwy Smith
Executive Officer: Jeanette Bevan 

Jamieson Bastian

Gabby Bevan

Hanami Campitelli

Lili Cavanagh

Emma Chandler

Claire Costa

Emily Di Divine

Tori Elliott

Jaymee Hasset-Smith

Hannah Healy

Brooklyn Hutton

Emily Kline

Zoe Murphy

Becky Petty

Baylin Rousell

Maddison Singleton

Lara Watson

Jade Yuen

Bronwyn Gell, a veteran of previous tournaments and a key cog on this year’s team, had this to say about the current national squad: 

“With less than a month before we head away, the team is coming along really well,” she said. “The girls are increasing their intensity on-and-off the field with the help of the dedicated coaches ensuring we are getting plenty of reps in. 

“It is exciting to be part of the team. There is a lot of young talent and plenty of years of experience among the senior players, giving a great balance and atmosphere.” 

The Women’s National Championship roster: 

Head Coach: Dean Anglin
Assistant Coach: Shae Lillywhite (playing assistant)
Assistant Coach: Chris Goodrope
Pitching Coach: Joe Michaud
Executive Officer: Aimee Page 

Leslie Anglin
Sinead Byrne-Connell
Belinda Cannington
Brittney Cedelland
Vanessa Clifford
Amy Collins
Madeline Davis
Emma French
Bronwyn Gell
Ellen Goodrope
Hannah Jackson
Abbey Kelly
Abbey McLellan
Georgia Page
Abe Reiko
Risa Tanaka

Supporters can follow the progress of the Victorian teams at the National Youth Championships with live scores, ladders, statistics and photographs on the Baseball Australia website. 

 

A no-hitter by the Southern Mariners (B) team highlighted this slate of six games between the Under 12s in the Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy, this week hosted by Berwick and Blackburn. Last Saturday the Under 14s took the field. All previous iterations of the weekly wraps are also available. 

Southern Mariners (A) 12, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 6

A triumvirate of St Kilda Saints hurlers—Millar Kuhl, Ferris Sallka and Felix Brunner—led the Southern Mariners (A) squad to a resounding 12-6 win at the home of the Berwick Cougars on Saturday morning. 

The Mariners stellar pitching buoyed their offense, helping them to score the maximum five runs in both the first and second inning and two more in the third. After three they held a commanding 12-1 lead. 

Not dead yet, the D’Backs did all they could to resurrect their chances by plating five of their own runs in the top of the fourth. Joel Prpic, Connor Schibzci, Zachary Gorman and Harrison Green-Williams had hits for the Northern squad.

For the victorious side, Dylan Williamson, Balin O’Callaghan, Angus Newman, Charlie Pierson and Sallka had the hits for the Mariners. 

The victory evened Southern’s record at 2-2 while the D’Backs (Green) fell to 1-3.

Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 9, Southern Mariners (B) 5

The first win is always the toughest to get. So kudos to the Northern D’Backs (Orange) squad who triumphed for the first time in their fourth game. They did it by scoring runs early and often. 

Five in the first and then four in the second was all they needed to prevail. The D’Backs were led by Mitch Nolan and Sam Skinner who each went 3-for-3 at the dish. Skinner also closed out the win with no runs and a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. Mace Poole started for Northern and got the victory. 

Across the diamond the Mariners used six pitchers—Tom Connolly, Josh Tribe, Lachlan Smith, Matt Kaplan, Joel Poole, and Flynn Lhuedz—and were led at the plate by Ryan Langworthy (2-for-2); Cooper Williamson and Tyler Ellis each contributed a hit. 

The Mariners fell to 2-2 in the comp.

Eastern Athletics (Green) 13, Geelong Baycats 6

A dominant start—four runs in each of the first two innings—and a resounding finish (five in the fourth) were more than enough to propel the Eastern Athletics (Green) team to their fourth straight win to begin the Little League Charter Academy slate. 

The hit parade was led by trio of A’s: Nick Parton, Charles O’Connell and Finn Weichard, who each recorded two knocks. Zac Dawes, Hudson Priamo, Kobi Lyon and Kynan Jones all had one hit for the winning side. 

The Baycats scored once in the first and five in the fifth to account for the final score. Of Geelong’s four hits, Hayden Peoples had two of them, including a booming home run. Hudson Carter and Noah Brennan added the other two hits to the ledger. 

With the loss, the Baycats fell to 2-3. 

Southern Mariners (A) 8, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 3

Topping off a fantastic sweep, the Southern Mariners (A) scored runs in every inning to down the D’Backs 8-3. 

Dylan Williamson, Angus Newman and Charlie Pierson all pitched very well for the winning side, surrendering a mere three runs in the four frames. 

At bat, Newman had two hits including a double and both Felix Brunner and Ferris Sallka contributed singles. 

For the D’Backs, Sam Skinner had a double amongst his two hits and Sam Kilikoski registered a single. 

The loss is the D’Backs fourth in five games. 

Southern Mariners (B) 8, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 1

For the first time in either the Junior or Little League Charter games this season there has been a no-hitter! Congratulations to the fantastic foursome—Tyler Ellis (1.1 innings pitched), Cooper Williamson (.2), Ryan Langworthy (1.1) and James Lynch (the final two-thirds of an inning)—on an amazing accomplishment. 

At bat, Ben Campbell, Joel Poole, Lynch and Connolly and all had hits for the Mariners. 

Billy Kolyniuk, Angus Stals and Josh Dawson pitched for the D’Backs, who dropped to 1-4 with the defeat. 

Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Geelong Baycats 3

While not yet as successful as their Eastern Athletics (Green) brethren, the Gold squad have still set quite the high standard. 

That exalted status was further illuminated by their 7-3 victory at Blackburn’s home ground. Despite being down 3-1 after two, the Gold squad scored once in the fourth to trim the deficit to one and then five times in the bottom of the fifth to provide the winning margin. 

The victorious Athletics had six hits—two from Jack Ranonin and one each courtesy of Ryan Othen, Bronson Neave, Will Stone and Ethan Scabo—while the Baycats had five. Like in the opener (and really for the entire season) Hayden Peoples dominated, accumulating another two hits. Noah Brennan, Jordan Baumann and Cooper Rickard also had knocks for the Baycats. 

Of note: the first inning ended on a perfectly executed run-down between third base and home plate by Geelong. Rickard also played well in left field, catching two towering fly balls. 

Here is how the comp stands after three rounds: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10393&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0##ladder. It’s the Under 14s turn to again take the field. Six games—four at Blackburn and two at Newport’s home ground—are scheduled for Saturday 19 December from 9 a.m. Check back here for a full report of all six games.

Southern Mariners (A) 12, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 6

A triumvirate of St Kilda Saints hurlers—Millar Kuhl, Ferris Sallka and Felix Brunner—led the Southern Mariners (A) squad to a resounding 12-6 win at the home of the Berwick Cougars on Saturday morning. 

The Mariners stellar pitching buoyed their offense, helping them to score the maximum five runs in both the first and second inning and two more in the third. After three they held a commanding 12-1 lead. 

Not dead yet, the D’Backs did all they could to resurrect their chances by plating five of their own runs in the top of the fourth. Joel Prpic, Connor Schibzci, Zachary Gorman and Harrison Green-Williams had hits for the Northern squad.

For the victorious side, Dylan Williamson, Balin O’Callaghan, Angus Newman, Charlie Pierson and Sallka had the hits for the Mariners. 

The victory evened Southern’s record at 2-2 while the D’Backs (Green) fell to 1-3.

Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 9, Southern Mariners (B) 5

The first win is always the toughest to get. So kudos to the Northern D’Backs (Orange) squad who triumphed for the first time in their fourth game. They did it by scoring runs early and often. 

Five in the first and then four in the second was all they needed to prevail. The D’Backs were led by Mitch Nolan and Sam Skinner who each went 3-for-3 at the dish. Skinner also closed out the win with no runs and a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. Mace Poole started for Northern and got the victory. 

Across the diamond the Mariners used six pitchers—Tom Connolly, Josh Tribe, Lachlan Smith, Matt Kaplan, Joel Poole, and Flynn Lhuedz—and were led at the plate by Ryan Langworthy (2-for-2); Cooper Williamson and Tyler Ellis each contributed a hit. 

The Mariners fell to 2-2 in the comp.

Eastern Athletics (Green) 13, Geelong Baycats 6

A dominant start—four runs in each of the first two innings—and a resounding finish (five in the fourth) were more than enough to propel the Eastern Athletics (Green) team to their fourth straight win to begin the Little League Charter Academy slate. 

The hit parade was led by trio of A’s: Nick Parton, Charles O’Connell and Finn Weichard, who each recorded two knocks. Zac Dawes, Hudson Priamo, Kobi Lyon and Kynan Jones all had one hit for the winning side. 

The Baycats scored once in the first and five in the fifth to account for the final score. Of Geelong’s four hits, Hayden Peoples had two of them, including a booming home run. Hudson Carter and Noah Brennan added the other two hits to the ledger. 

With the loss, the Baycats fell to 2-3. 

Southern Mariners (A) 8, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 3

Topping off a fantastic sweep, the Southern Mariners (A) scored runs in every inning to down the D’Backs 8-3. 

Dylan Williamson, Angus Newman and Charlie Pierson all pitched very well for the winning side, surrendering a mere three runs in the four frames. 

At bat, Newman had two hits including a double and both Felix Brunner and Ferris Sallka contributed singles. 

For the D’Backs, Sam Skinner had a double amongst his two hits and Sam Kilikoski registered a single. 

The loss is the D’Backs fourth in five games. 

Southern Mariners (B) 8, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 1

For the first time in either the Junior or Little League Charter games this season there has been a no-hitter! Congratulations to the fantastic foursome—Tyler Ellis (1.1 innings pitched), Cooper Williamson (.2), Ryan Langworthy (1.1) and James Lynch (the final two-thirds of an inning)—on an amazing accomplishment. 

At bat, Ben Campbell, Joel Poole, Lynch and Connolly and all had hits for the Mariners. 

Billy Kolyniuk, Angus Stals and Josh Dawson pitched for the D’Backs, who dropped to 1-4 with the defeat. 

Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Geelong Baycats 3

While not yet as successful as their Eastern Athletics (Green) brethren, the Gold squad have still set quite the high standard. 

That exalted status was further illuminated by their 7-3 victory at Blackburn’s home ground. Despite being down 3-1 after two, the Gold squad scored once in the fourth to trim the deficit to one and then five times in the bottom of the fifth to provide the winning margin. 

The victorious Athletics had six hits—two from Jack Ranonin and one each courtesy of Ryan Othen, Bronson Neave, Will Stone and Ethan Scabo—while the Baycats had five. Like in the opener (and really for the entire season) Hayden Peoples dominated, accumulating another two hits. Noah Brennan, Jordan Baumann and Cooper Rickard also had knocks for the Baycats. 

Of note: the first inning ended on a perfectly executed run-down between third base and home plate by Geelong. Rickard also played well in left field, catching two towering fly balls. 

Here is how the comp stands after three rounds: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10393&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0##ladder. It’s the Under 14s turn to again take the field. Six games—four at Blackburn and two at Newport’s home ground—are scheduled for Saturday 19 December from 9 a.m. Check back here for a full report of all six games.

Doncaster 10, Footscray 5

Thanks to Samantha Hamilton and Amy McCann’s penchants for hits, the host Dragons doubled up the Bulldogs, 10-5. Hamilton went 3-4 with a double, walk, two runs scored and two runs batted in. McCann also was 3-4, but with a couple two baggers, a run scored and four RBI. 

Belinda Cannington did her best Bryce Harper imitation by having just one official plate appearance (a double) yet scored four runs thanks to a base on balls and two hit by pitches. 

On the mound, Erin Collis started and threw 72 pitches (47 for strikes) with Kate Lethborg (17 balls, six strikes, 23 pitches) and McCann (10-9-19) pitching the remainder of the contest. 

The victory pushes Doncaster’s record to 5-6—good for third on the ladder—while Footscray falls to 3-9 (fourth).

Springvale 16, Essendon 7

In a showdown between the league’s two best teams, the Lions mauled the Bombers, 16-7. 

Springvale started the scoring by plating two in the top of the first. Undeterred, Essendon responded by scoring four in the bottom half of the frame. After swapping single runs in the second, the Lions took control in the top of the fourth, scoring twice. They then added two in the fifth, five in the sixth and four in the seventh to provide the winning margin. 

Bronwyn Gell (3-4 with a triple, walk, two runs scored and two stolen bases) led the Bombers; Courtney Foura and Abbey Kelly also had two hits each. Kelly and Vibeke Pedersen both contributed two RBI to the cause. 

The Lions victory allowed them to open up a two game lead on Essendon. 

Malvern was idle.

Thanks to Samantha Hamilton and Amy McCann’s penchants for hits, the host Dragons doubled up the Bulldogs, 10-5. Hamilton went 3-4 with a double, walk, two runs scored and two runs batted in. McCann also was 3-4, but with a couple two baggers, a run scored and four RBI. 

Belinda Cannington did her best Bryce Harper imitation by having just one official plate appearance (a double) yet scored four runs thanks to a base on balls and two hit by pitches. 

On the mound, Erin Collis started and threw 72 pitches (47 for strikes) with Kate Lethborg (17 balls, six strikes, 23 pitches) and McCann (10-9-19) pitching the remainder of the contest. 

The victory pushes Doncaster’s record to 5-6—good for third on the ladder—while Footscray falls to 3-9 (fourth).

Springvale 16, Essendon 7

In a showdown between the league’s two best teams, the Lions mauled the Bombers, 16-7. 

Springvale started the scoring by plating two in the top of the first. Undeterred, Essendon responded by scoring four in the bottom half of the frame. After swapping single runs in the second, the Lions took control in the top of the fourth, scoring twice. They then added two in the fifth, five in the sixth and four in the seventh to provide the winning margin. 

Bronwyn Gell (3-4 with a triple, walk, two runs scored and two stolen bases) led the Bombers; Courtney Foura and Abbey Kelly also had two hits each. Kelly and Vibeke Pedersen both contributed two RBI to the cause. 

The Lions victory allowed them to open up a two game lead on Essendon. 

Malvern was idle.

Aussie T-Ball is designed to introduce kids to the game of baseball and help them develop basic baseball skills in a FUN way, while not paying attention to the score board. Aussie T-Ball has been modified to ensure two things, maximum involvement and incredible amounts of fun by ensuring that all children of all abilities get an equal chance to play.

How does Aussie T-Ball differ from other traditional forms of T-Ball?
·      Emphasis is on FUN rather then the scoreboard
·      Greater game involvement
·      All equipment is safety conscious with modified bats and balls.

What are the benefits of your club becoming a registered Aussie T-Ball club?
Access to our Player Participation Packs. Aussie T-Ball is the entry point to the sport so Baseball Australia has developed the perfect entry level Player Participant Pack that includes a Team Australia Glove.

Who can receive a Participants Pack and who orders them?
Any player who has a subscription type of Aussie T-Ball, and is classed as an active and financial player is entitled to receive a Players Pack.

What resources are available to clubs?
BA developed a range of resources to assist clubs with developing your Aussie T-Ball program ranging from information flyers, participation certificates, club manual, hats, jerseys and a complete club equipment kit.

For further information on Aussie T-Ball go to baseball.com.au/aussietball

If you would like your club to be our newest Aussie T-Ball club, email us at membership@baseball.org.au.

Aussie T-Ball is designed to introduce kids to the game of baseball and help them develop basic baseball skills in a FUN way, while not paying attention to the score board. Aussie T-Ball has been modified to ensure two things, maximum involvement and incredible amounts of fun by ensuring that all children of all abilities get an equal chance to play.

How does Aussie T-Ball differ from other traditional forms of T-Ball?
·      Emphasis is on FUN rather then the scoreboard
·      Greater game involvement
·      All equipment is safety conscious with modified bats and balls.

What are the benefits of your club becoming a registered Aussie T-Ball club?
Access to our Player Participation Packs. Aussie T-Ball is the entry point to the sport so Baseball Australia has developed the perfect entry level Player Participant Pack that includes a Team Australia Glove.

Who can receive a Participants Pack and who orders them?
Any player who has a subscription type of Aussie T-Ball, and is classed as an active and financial player is entitled to receive a Players Pack.

What resources are available to clubs?
BA developed a range of resources to assist clubs with developing your Aussie T-Ball program ranging from information flyers, participation certificates, club manual, hats, jerseys and a complete club equipment kit.

For further information on Aussie T-Ball go to baseball.com.au/aussietball

If you would like your club to be our newest Aussie T-Ball club, email us at membership@baseball.org.au.

The offices of Baseball Victoria will be closed from noon on Wednesday 23 December 2015 until 9 a.m. on Monday 4 January 2016.

Everyone at BV wishes all players, managers, umpires, scorers and fans a happy and healthy holiday season.

Pakenham 11, Chelsea 0

When import James Mills takes the hill little seems to go wrong for the Pumas. So it was again on Sunday as they whitewashed the Dolphins, 11-0. Pakenham scored once in the first, twice in the third, three more times in the fourth and five in the fifth to secure the mercy-rule aided win. 

The victory helps them keep pace with Mulgrave; currently they sit three points behind the Rebels but have played one more game. 

Chelsea falls to 5-6 on the season. 

Research 22, Footscray 6

The Roadrunners’ dominate home victory pushed them above the Bulldogs for the last spot in Finals. Research currently sits at 4-5 and in fourth place while Footscray, who have played one more game, are 3-7 and fifth on the ladder.

Mulgrave 12, St Kilda 0

Drip, drip, drip. It was never spectacular but the way the Rebels scored runs against the Saints in St Kilda on Sunday it was certainly effective. Mulgrave tallied once in the first, four in each the second and the third, and then added single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings before the Saints brought in hurler Avi Lewis, who pitched a scoreless seventh frame. 

With their top two pitchers unavailable, St Kilda opted for a bullpen game, throwing Pete McCourt for the first four-plus innings and then Paul Puskar before Lewis pitched the last. 

For the Rebels they needed only Mathew Young who threw a complete game shutout, ceding just five hits while throwing 112 pitches. 

Original report supplied by Lincoln Ladds of the Mulgrave Baseball Club 

Ormond Glenhuntly had a bye this weekend.

When import James Mills takes the hill little seems to go wrong for the Pumas. So it was again on Sunday as they whitewashed the Dolphins, 11-0. Pakenham scored once in the first, twice in the third, three more times in the fourth and five in the fifth to secure the mercy-rule aided win. 

The victory helps them keep pace with Mulgrave; currently they sit three points behind the Rebels but have played one more game. 

Chelsea falls to 5-6 on the season. 

Research 22, Footscray 6

The Roadrunners’ dominate home victory pushed them above the Bulldogs for the last spot in Finals. Research currently sits at 4-5 and in fourth place while Footscray, who have played one more game, are 3-7 and fifth on the ladder.

Mulgrave 12, St Kilda 0

Drip, drip, drip. It was never spectacular but the way the Rebels scored runs against the Saints in St Kilda on Sunday it was certainly effective. Mulgrave tallied once in the first, four in each the second and the third, and then added single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings before the Saints brought in hurler Avi Lewis, who pitched a scoreless seventh frame. 

With their top two pitchers unavailable, St Kilda opted for a bullpen game, throwing Pete McCourt for the first four-plus innings and then Paul Puskar before Lewis pitched the last. 

For the Rebels they needed only Mathew Young who threw a complete game shutout, ceding just five hits while throwing 112 pitches. 

Original report supplied by Lincoln Ladds of the Mulgrave Baseball Club 

Ormond Glenhuntly had a bye this weekend.

Ballarat 5, Williamstown 4

The Brewers accomplishment something on Sunday not too often attained this season: cooling off the Wolves’ bats. 

Despite trailing by one entering their home half of the first, Ballarat evened the game before scoring three times in the third and adding an insurance marker in the sixth. Three Williamstown runs in the seventh tightened the contest up considerably, but the Wolves would get no closer, falling 5-4. 

Justin Gourlay had the lone multi-hit game for Williamstown, going 2-5 for a double, triple, a run scored and three RBI. Staci Rogers knocked in the other run. 

For the victors, Ricky Howell had the game’s biggest hit, a triple, and drove in three of the Brewers five runs. Leigh Ashmore and Mathew Jones contributed the other RBI. 

Upwey Ferntree Gully 10, Fitzroy 6

A hitting clinic broke out in Fitzroy on Sunday as the Lions and Tigers (oh my!) combined for 16 runs and 26 hits. 

Leading the parade was Upwey’s Nicholas Rice who went 3-5 with a double, run scored and an RBI. Dylan Archer had a triple and knocked in two; Peter Schroeders and Jarrod Turner also knocked in a pair for the winning side. 

Fitzroy was led by Taylor Eichhorst (2-3, a double, run, RBI), Brock Pawley (2-5, run, RBI), Callum Stevens (2-5 with a double and a run scored) and Thomas Wilson (2-4 with a run). 

The victory ups the Tigers mark to 6-8 while the Lions fall to 9-5-1 with the defeat.

Berwick City 8, Bonbeach 7

Seven runs is an awfully big deficit to overcome. The visiting Bluejays found that out the hard way as they took the loss in a tight contest, 8-7. 

The Cougars scored six runs in the second inning and never looked back. 

With the victory, Berwick City improves to 8-7 while Bonbeach falls to 4-10. 

Werribee 14, Malvern 3

The Giants continued their remarkable season with an impressive 14-3 win over the host Braves. The triumph keeps them second on the ladder, equal in points but two in the loss column behind Moorabbin. Malvern is now tied for second-to-last with Bonbeach. 

Moorabbin 10, Port Melbourne 3

Tallying three times in the first, once in the second, two more times in the fifth, thrice in the sixth and adding one in the seventh for good measure, the Panthers easily dispatched of the Mariners, 10-3. 

The win keeps Moorabbin percentage points above Werribee for the top of the ladder dominance. 

The Panthers travel to Williamstown on Sunday while the Mariners host the Lions from Fitzroy.

The Brewers accomplishment something on Sunday not too often attained this season: cooling off the Wolves’ bats. 

Despite trailing by one entering their home half of the first, Ballarat evened the game before scoring three times in the third and adding an insurance marker in the sixth. Three Williamstown runs in the seventh tightened the contest up considerably, but the Wolves would get no closer, falling 5-4. 

Justin Gourlay had the lone multi-hit game for Williamstown, going 2-5 for a double, triple, a run scored and three RBI. Staci Rogers knocked in the other run. 

For the victors, Ricky Howell had the game’s biggest hit, a triple, and drove in three of the Brewers five runs. Leigh Ashmore and Mathew Jones contributed the other RBI. 

Upwey Ferntree Gully 10, Fitzroy 6

A hitting clinic broke out in Fitzroy on Sunday as the Lions and Tigers (oh my!) combined for 16 runs and 26 hits. 

Leading the parade was Upwey’s Nicholas Rice who went 3-5 with a double, run scored and an RBI. Dylan Archer had a triple and knocked in two; Peter Schroeders and Jarrod Turner also knocked in a pair for the winning side. 

Fitzroy was led by Taylor Eichhorst (2-3, a double, run, RBI), Brock Pawley (2-5, run, RBI), Callum Stevens (2-5 with a double and a run scored) and Thomas Wilson (2-4 with a run). 

The victory ups the Tigers mark to 6-8 while the Lions fall to 9-5-1 with the defeat.

Berwick City 8, Bonbeach 7

Seven runs is an awfully big deficit to overcome. The visiting Bluejays found that out the hard way as they took the loss in a tight contest, 8-7. 

The Cougars scored six runs in the second inning and never looked back. 

With the victory, Berwick City improves to 8-7 while Bonbeach falls to 4-10. 

Werribee 14, Malvern 3

The Giants continued their remarkable season with an impressive 14-3 win over the host Braves. The triumph keeps them second on the ladder, equal in points but two in the loss column behind Moorabbin. Malvern is now tied for second-to-last with Bonbeach. 

Moorabbin 10, Port Melbourne 3

Tallying three times in the first, once in the second, two more times in the fifth, thrice in the sixth and adding one in the seventh for good measure, the Panthers easily dispatched of the Mariners, 10-3. 

The win keeps Moorabbin percentage points above Werribee for the top of the ladder dominance. 

The Panthers travel to Williamstown on Sunday while the Mariners host the Lions from Fitzroy.

Geelong 6, Sunshine 5

On paper it didn’t look like a fair fight. The Baycats were 10-3-1 and atop the ladder; the Eagles perched on the lowest rung, struggling to find ways to win. As the cliché goes: That’s why they play the game. 

Geelong did prevail, 6-5, in a cracker of a game that was close throughout—and Sunshine’s to lose until the very last. 

The Eagles started the scoring by tallying a run in the top of the first. The Baycats responded by plating one in the second and another in the third to take the lead. It was short lived. 

Sunshine scored two in the fourth and another couple in the sixth to take a 5-2 lead. There it stood until the ninth when the never-say-die Baycats rallied to plate four runs in the bottom of the ninth to win a fantastic baseball game. 

Cheltenham 8, Waverley 1

Led by superb pitching and the hot hitting of Adam Blackley, Mitch Holding and Sam Michael, the host Rustlers easily dispatched the Wildcats, 7-1. Buoyed by single runs in the second and fifth, two in the sixth and a game-sealing four in the seventh, Cheltenham was in control all day. Waverley’s sole run came in the fourth. 

Blackley went 2-3 with a home run and three runs batted in. Holding was even better, going 2-4, scoring three runs and hitting a double and a long ball, knocking in two. Jack Enciondo also went deep for the Rustlers. 

With the victory, Cheltenham improves to 8-6 on the season. The defeat drops Waverley to 5-10.

Essendon 16, Sandringham 5

Winning division games is always crucial. Especially when it’s at home. Essendon did just that on Sunday as they used four innings (first, second, seventh and eighth) of at least three runs to bombard the Royals, winning 16-5. 

A single marker in the sixth complimented the three runs in the other three frames. The six in the eighth were enough to evoke the mercy rule. 

Sandringham scored their runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth. At the plate they were led by Jordan Barnett (2-4 with an RBI), Anton Cevec (2-5, run, two RBI) and Ryan Morris (3-4, run, double, RBI). 

Essendon kept pace with Geelong with the win. They trail the Baycats by one game.

Melbourne 13, Doncaster 2

The Demons were wickedly good at home on Sunday. They banged out 14 hits, including four doubles, in the dominant 13-2 win. 

Matthew Kent starred going 4-for-4 with two runs, a double and an RBI. Adam Burton had three hits (two of them doubles) and knocked in three and Rhys De Highden also plated multiple runs. 

Across the field, the Dragons couldn’t get going at the plate. They only mustered six hits, two from the always reliable Ben Utting. He also gets credit for the only two runs batted in for his side. 

Now 12-2-1 on the season, Melbourne hosts Newport next Sunday in the last round of games before Christmas. Doncaster (3-11-1) returns home to play Preston.

Newport 6, Preston 3

Speaking of the Pirates . . . they hosted the Rams on the weekend. Newport grabbed the lead early, scoring a run in the top of the first. Pitching prevailed from then until the top of the seventh when the Rams busted the game open with five runs. Though Preston fought back with three of their own in the bottom half, nobody else crossed the plate. 

The 6-3 victory allowed Newport to hop over Preston for the fourth spot on the ladder. The Rams now sit at 6-8 while the Pirates are 6-9. 

Blackburn 7, Springvale 0

The Orioles pitched lights out on Sunday, allowing only five hits and ceding no walks. After tallying once in the first, they added two runs in the seventh and four insurance markers in the eighth. At the plate they also dominated, led by Luke Cartwright who went 3-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Nicholas Barrett and David Tierney also had multiple hits. 

For the Lions, Lucas Anderson, Scott Baillie, Freddy Flores, Matthew Hayle and Glenn Mascoll each had a single. 

The win keeps Blackburn within shouting distance of first place Melbourne, 2.5 games back. Springvale is now tied with Waverley for fourth in their division with identical 5-10 records.

On paper it didn’t look like a fair fight. The Baycats were 10-3-1 and atop the ladder; the Eagles perched on the lowest rung, struggling to find ways to win. As the cliché goes: That’s why they play the game. 

Geelong did prevail, 6-5, in a cracker of a game that was close throughout—and Sunshine’s to lose until the very last. 

The Eagles started the scoring by tallying a run in the top of the first. The Baycats responded by plating one in the second and another in the third to take the lead. It was short lived. 

Sunshine scored two in the fourth and another couple in the sixth to take a 5-2 lead. There it stood until the ninth when the never-say-die Baycats rallied to plate four runs in the bottom of the ninth to win a fantastic baseball game. 

Cheltenham 8, Waverley 1

Led by superb pitching and the hot hitting of Adam Blackley, Mitch Holding and Sam Michael, the host Rustlers easily dispatched the Wildcats, 7-1. Buoyed by single runs in the second and fifth, two in the sixth and a game-sealing four in the seventh, Cheltenham was in control all day. Waverley’s sole run came in the fourth. 

Blackley went 2-3 with a home run and three runs batted in. Holding was even better, going 2-4, scoring three runs and hitting a double and a long ball, knocking in two. Jack Enciondo also went deep for the Rustlers. 

With the victory, Cheltenham improves to 8-6 on the season. The defeat drops Waverley to 5-10.

Essendon 16, Sandringham 5

Winning division games is always crucial. Especially when it’s at home. Essendon did just that on Sunday as they used four innings (first, second, seventh and eighth) of at least three runs to bombard the Royals, winning 16-5. 

A single marker in the sixth complimented the three runs in the other three frames. The six in the eighth were enough to evoke the mercy rule. 

Sandringham scored their runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth. At the plate they were led by Jordan Barnett (2-4 with an RBI), Anton Cevec (2-5, run, two RBI) and Ryan Morris (3-4, run, double, RBI). 

Essendon kept pace with Geelong with the win. They trail the Baycats by one game.

Melbourne 13, Doncaster 2

The Demons were wickedly good at home on Sunday. They banged out 14 hits, including four doubles, in the dominant 13-2 win. 

Matthew Kent starred going 4-for-4 with two runs, a double and an RBI. Adam Burton had three hits (two of them doubles) and knocked in three and Rhys De Highden also plated multiple runs. 

Across the field, the Dragons couldn’t get going at the plate. They only mustered six hits, two from the always reliable Ben Utting. He also gets credit for the only two runs batted in for his side. 

Now 12-2-1 on the season, Melbourne hosts Newport next Sunday in the last round of games before Christmas. Doncaster (3-11-1) returns home to play Preston.

Newport 6, Preston 3

Speaking of the Pirates . . . they hosted the Rams on the weekend. Newport grabbed the lead early, scoring a run in the top of the first. Pitching prevailed from then until the top of the seventh when the Rams busted the game open with five runs. Though Preston fought back with three of their own in the bottom half, nobody else crossed the plate. 

The 6-3 victory allowed Newport to hop over Preston for the fourth spot on the ladder. The Rams now sit at 6-8 while the Pirates are 6-9. 

Blackburn 7, Springvale 0

The Orioles pitched lights out on Sunday, allowing only five hits and ceding no walks. After tallying once in the first, they added two runs in the seventh and four insurance markers in the eighth. At the plate they also dominated, led by Luke Cartwright who went 3-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Nicholas Barrett and David Tierney also had multiple hits. 

For the Lions, Lucas Anderson, Scott Baillie, Freddy Flores, Matthew Hayle and Glenn Mascoll each had a single. 

The win keeps Blackburn within shouting distance of first place Melbourne, 2.5 games back. Springvale is now tied with Waverley for fourth in their division with identical 5-10 records.